Porcupine Meatballs W Rice a Roni

Discover the ultimate comfort food with these Porcupine Meatballs with Rice-A-Roni—a nostalgic, one-skillet dinner that combines juicy, flavorful meatballs with perfectly seasoned rice. Made with tender ground beef, a hint of garlic and paprika, and Rice-A-Roni’s savory beef flavor, these meatballs achieve their signature "porcupine" look thanks to the rice that cooks up fluffy yet tender around them. The dish comes together quickly with a simple browning step for the meatballs and simmering everything together in one pan, enriching the flavors while keeping cleanup minimal. Ideal for busy weeknights or cozy family meals, this hearty dish is ready in under an hour and pairs beautifully with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a vibrant finishing touch. Perfect for those seeking an easy yet satisfying dinner, this recipe is a delicious crowd-pleaser that you'll find yourself making time and again.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 box Rice-A-Roni (beef flavor)
• 1 large egg
• 2.5 cups water
• 0.5 yellow onion, finely diced
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat a large skillet with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat.

Step 2

In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, the seasoning packet from the Rice-A-Roni box, egg, finely diced onion, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix until evenly combined.

Step 3

Portion the meat mixture into small balls, about 1.5 inches in diameter, to create the meatballs.

Step 4

Brown the meatballs in the skillet for 2-3 minutes on each side, working in batches if necessary. They don't need to cook through, just develop a nice crust. Remove and set aside.

Step 5

In the same skillet, add the Rice-A-Roni rice and vermicelli mix (from the box) and toast lightly until golden, stirring frequently to avoid burning.

Step 6

Slowly add 2.5 cups of water to the skillet and bring it to a boil, scraping the bottom to deglaze the pan.

Step 7

Return the meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the Rice-A-Roni mixture.

Step 8

Lower the heat to a simmer and cover the skillet with a lid. Cook for 25-30 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the meatballs are fully cooked through.

Step 9

Stir occasionally and ensure the mixture does not dry out. Add a splash of water if needed.

Step 10

Once cooked, garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve warm. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1378.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1537.4

Total Fat 106.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 38.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.4g
Cholesterol 507.1mg	0%
Sodium 1944.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 57.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.6g	0%
Total Sugars 4.6g
Protein 90.6g	0%

Vitamin D 41IU	0%
Calcium 144.6mg	0%
Iron 11.2mg	0%
Potassium 1424.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 61.8%

Protein: 23.4%

Carbs: 14.8%